No Man's Land by Sara Driscoll

Author:Sara Driscoll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-10-01T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

Group Shot: A photographic record of every participant in a search or exploration.

Friday, November 9, 11:24 PM

Webb residence

Washington, DC

Meg stretched her legs out on the ottoman as the end credits scrolled down the wide flat-panel TV. “That was good. Goofy and mindless. I needed that. It’s been a long few weeks.” She laid her head back down on Webb’s shoulder and let out a long sigh. “I really think we turned a corner today.”

“Cara had a great idea, using the dogs as a way to get residents to talk to you.”

“Sure was. And both dogs were great.” Meg looked over to where Hawk lay on a dog bed, his torso twisted so his hind legs butted the wall with his belly in the air while the front half of him tipped onto his side. His favorite toy, a chubby, squeaky red dragon with yellow wings, was protectively tucked between his front legs. “I have no idea how that can be comfortable, but he does it all the time, so it must be.” A gentle snore came from the dog, and she chuckled. “He sure does like that bed you got him.”

She surveyed Webb’s living room. Before they became a couple, his compact downtown DC apartment, just a stone’s throw away from his fire station, was always neat and organized. Now there was a dog bed beside his flat screen, bags of treats in his pantry, and a scattering of tug and chew toys spread between his living room and bedroom. “You know, it’s just struck me how much mess we brought into your life.”

He looked at her sideways. “You mean you, Hawk, or both?”

“Mostly Hawk, but it’s not really a bachelor pad anymore.”

“I can live with that. Actually . . .” He leaned a little away so he could make eye contact. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“About what?”

“My nonbachelor pad. What if we made that official, and you and Hawk moved in here?”

For a moment, Meg stared at him in silence, not even daring to blink. “With you?” As his eyes went flat and his expression became guarded, she mentally kicked herself. Of course, with him. Who else?

“That was the idea, yeah.”

She could sense the walls going up between them, both mentally and physically from the way he pulled back as the relaxation in his frame dissipated, replaced with an uncomfortable stiffness. She reached for his hand. “That came out wrong.”

“You think? Look, if the idea doesn’t work for you, forget I brought it up. Besides, you’re in the middle of a case and it’s a dumb time for me to suggest it, so—” He started to pull his hand from her grasp.

“Wait.” She clamped down on his fingers. “Wait. Give me a second. You’re catching me off guard.”

He fixed her with an unwavering stare but held still.

She let out a sigh and closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Then she took a breath and looked him straight in the eye. “It’s clear you’ve given this some thought, and I admit I haven’t.

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